Steve's Fire Truck
His crew is called to assist others who have more elaborate equipment. The advantage is that they get a lot more action than some crews--which Steve loves. We met the people he works with, and they seem like a great team to be a part of.

Jamestown Presbyterian Church. Near Greensboro and where we worshipped this Sunday. The pastor was on vacation so instead of the usual preaching there was a gospel trio which we enjoyed very much. Danny would have felt right at home I am sure... We were not greeted as visitors, which is unusual, but I think possibly it was because their regular schedule of one traditional and one contemporary service is reduced to one combined service for the summer and many regulars were strangers to each other so we did not stand out. Just a possibility, but a point for blended worship and everyone sharing the same experience...

What an interesting time and place we live in... Yesterday I was in Greensboro, NC, just starting adventures in that new-to-me place. Today I am back in Seattle, having retraced in 6 hours of flying the miles it took Nancy and me just under three weeks to drive. This has been the plan all along--Nancy and I drive to Greensboro together in our smaller car, then I come back to pick up the van and bring it, holding some of the things we will need for the next 6 months to a year, to Greensboro. It is actually interesting how much stuff we do NOT need, but a few things--like clothes and books--are nice to have.

So, I have returned to Seattle and will be here for two days, doing some business, seeing friends and family, and getting the van back from the auto shop I left it with. Although I have confidence in the 1973 van, I thought it wise to have it looked at before embarking on a trans-continental journey. The mechanics are surprised at what good shape it is in, but a few minor things are in order...Actually they also noticed that the whole body is tilted several inches forward, but when I explained the contents it is hauling they understood--and I will readjust the load. Books are heavy...

One event taking place while I am here is a reunion of the people with whom I went to Israel, Palestine and Jordan recently. As I anticipate this gathering and at the same time look at the news of the day, several thoughts go through my mind. Of course one is the amazing timing of our trip. The places rockets are falling today are places we visited only six weeks ago, and while we were there there was no reason for anxiety. Now we could not go there. Another is the perpetual strife in that area of the world and the tragedy of that strife. Biblically I do not agree with those who give special attention to Israel of today and see in the people of current Israel a particularly favored place in God's plan. I take the New Testament seriously when it declares that the church of Christ, made up of those who have faith in Christ, is the new Israel and the new people of God. I pray for these believers in the midst of the conflict there, and grieve that they are so marginalized that so many have left or are leaving the place Jesus lived. But I also pray for peace in Jerusalem--and peace in that part of the world. I pray that the peace of Christ would be spread abroad by people coming to faith in him, and I pray that political and social peace with justice would come as well. It looks unlikely now, but God is in charge...And I remember, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)